OSHA Inspection: HYDRO ALUMINUM NORTH AMERICA

Issued

May 8, 2006

Abate by

Jun 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that: employees
were exposed to steam/metal explosions resulting from the introduction of
charge that was damp
or wet with water into a hot furnace.
a. On or about 11/26/05, remelt furnace building, an operator charged a
hot furnace with
wet sows resulting in an explosion.  The explosion caused building panels
to be blown off the
building and concussion effects to the employees.  Among other methods,
acceptable and feasible
methods of abatement include:   1.  Inspect each load for moisture prior
to the load operator
dumping it into the hopper.  2. Build a weather-proof storage area for
material.  3.  Preheat
charge material to remove any surface or entrained moisture., as set forth
in ANSI Z241.2-1989,
paragraph 5.3.5.4.
"ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED"